It's been one year since Isfrid began his training. He's made progress as a mage and an aura user.
His talent for swordsmanship is no less, if not greater, than his talent as a mage. He doesn't have access to a northern katana swordsmanship manual yet, but he knows the key principles of the northern style and focuses on building a strong foundation.
Early in the morning, Ifrid looked in the mirror of his room and reflected on the physical changes his body had undergone.
He's only 7 now, so in comparison to an adult, he's still small; however, standing at 5,4, he's simply an anomaly.
He still has a slim build, probably because of his lack of food and protein, but he still has a solid six-pack, broad shoulders, and muscles all over his body.
His white hair has grown down to his shoulders, and the chubbiness of youth is gone from his face.
Having read basically every book in the library, Isfrid spends all day locked in his room training.
Eliza noticed his extreme training regimen and tried to get more food for Isfrid to help. However, there was only so much she could get from the kitchen leftovers.
For Isfrid, few things matter to him in life. His instinct, curiosity about the world, and his love for Eliza.
Eliza is the closest thing he has to a mother and a friend. Someone to share his growth with and ask questions.
During his research, Isfrid learned about the role and duties of a maid. In doing so, he learned how much Eliza actually does for him.
Considering his standing in the house, she should have no obligation to do anything for him, other than bring him enough food to survive.
However, she spends all her free time with Isfrid. He's overheard conversations from other maids and guards talking about how they couldn't understand her actions. And neither could Isfrid.
He made many vows to repay her kindness; however, he can't figure out how.
A gentle knock on the door woke Isfrid from his thoughts.
Opening the door, Eliza began, "Good morning, Isfrid. I brought breakfast."
However, as she stepped in, she immediately made an annoyed face, "How many times have I told you that it's too cold in here?" She said as she placed the plate down on his desk and made her way over to the window.
"I can't help it, it happens when I sleep," Isfrid replied.
Since awakening his core, Isfrid always woke up to his bed being covered in a thin layer of frost.
Eliza shook her head and opened the window, letting the morning sunlight into the room. It was almost the middle of December; however, it was far colder in the room than it was outside.
While Eliza was thinking of possible ways to change the deathly temperature of the room, Isfrid's thoughts went back to finding ways to repay her.
"Eliza?" Isfrid said
"Yes," Eliza replied, noticing the seriousness in his tone.
"Can you tell me about your life and how you ended up here. About your family," Isfrid said in a monotone voice; however, she could see the curiosity in his eyes.
Eliza's brow lifted slightly, thinking the question came out of nowhere, "I can, but why do you want to know?"
"I just want to know more about you, Eliza."
Eliza smiled with a slight ting of pink showing on her cheeks.
She always wanted a child but knew she never could. When Isfrid came along, and their relationship progressed, she felt that she had been given the most precious gift she could ask for.
"In that case, I'd be happy to," she replied warmly.
"Although it's not a very happy story. Are you sure you want to hear it?" she said with a more forced smile.
"Yes," Isfrid replied without missing a beat with the same expressionless face he always wore.
"Well then, we should start at my home. I was born in the northern Kingdom of Valenhold, into a relatively prominent family called the Starlight clan. A place where it's always snowing and the fight with the magical beast never ends."
She began talking about her home happily.
Ifrid already knew a lot about the north from his research, but he let her talk without interrupting.
"I had a caring mother and father who often spoiled me when they weren't working. The guards and maids were all very kind; it was like the entire starlight clan was one big family."
"However, when I was six, Valenhold wanted to form a relationship with Eldara. They wanted to have two prominent families get married, forming a strong connection. Valenhold selected me from the Starlight family.
However, Eldara sent a noble to meet me. But he ended up being a 30-year-old man. It was easy to tell that he had inappropriate intentions towards me, and I was only six.
My father killed him."
Isfrid was deep in thought. "Just like that."
"Yes, just like that. People often misunderstand the North. They think that because they don't involve themselves in the power struggle between the three kingdoms, they are weak. That they have no pride.
They're wrong, I'd even wager the North has the most pride between all three kingdoms."
'This never mentioned any of this in the books I read,' Isfrid thought.
"After news reached the Eldara that the noble they sent was murdered, they took it as an insult. They sent House Vaelor to kill every last Starlight. The Valenhold royalty had no way to refute their claims and didn't have the resources to go to war with Eldara while fighting off magical beasts."
Eliza's eyes began to tear up, "They slaughtered everyone. My parents, brothers, and sisters. Even the maids and anyone else in the house. They let me live because I was the youngest and a girl."
Eliza was looking down while fighting back tears.
"They took me in and trained me as a maid. I was always treated as an outsider here. I was diligent and hardworking, and that allowed me to rise to head maid, but it always felt like I was somehow betraying my family.
...But that's it, the life of Eliza Starlight."
Isfrid stared straight at her as she continued to look down, fighting back her tears.
After a moment, he spoke, "Eliza."
She looked up to see his abyssal, like blue eyes staring straight through hers.
"It must have been hard for you…
You've done well to endure." He spoke gently.
They he wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in a tight hug. Standing at 5,4, he was a few inches taller than Eliza. Her head was buried in his chest as she finally started crying profusely.
Like a dam had been broken that she was holding back for years.
They stayed like that for a long time…